Page 3 - Microsoft Word - Cytology.docx

Applications of Cytology

1. Cancer Diagnosis:
o Cytology is widely used in oncology to detect cancer cells in various tissues. For
example, a Pap smear can detect pre-cancerous and cancerous cells in the cervix.
FNAC is used to diagnose breast cancer, lung cancer, and other malignancies.

2. Infection Detection:
o Cytology can detect infections by identifying the presence of bacteria, viruses, or
fungi in cells. For example, sputum cytology can help diagnose respiratory infections.

3. Monitoring of Chronic Diseases:
o Cytology is used to monitor the progression of chronic diseases, such as interstitial
lung disease or inflammatory bowel disease, by examining cells from affected tissues.

4. Prenatal Screening:
o Amniocentesis, a type of fluid cytology, involves extracting amniotic fluid to examine
fetal cells for genetic disorders.

Advantages of Cytology

 Minimally Invasive: Cytology procedures, like FNAC or Pap smears, are less invasive
compared to surgical biopsies.

 Quick and Cost-Effective: Cytological tests are generally quick to perform and less
expensive than other diagnostic methods.

 Early Detection: Cytology allows for the early detection of diseases, especially cancers,
which improves treatment outcomes.

Limitations of Cytology

 Limited Sample Size: Sometimes, the small sample size in cytology may not be
representative of the entire lesion or disease.

 Less Definitive: While cytology is effective for screening, it may not always provide a
definitive diagnosis, requiring further testing or biopsies.

 Potential for False Negatives: There is a risk of false-negative results, especially if the
sample does not contain enough abnormal cells.

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